Fabrizio Romano: West Ham set to seal 1st summer signing, Moyes will be buzzing – opinion

West Ham looks set to make their first summer signing, and it’s one which will please David Moyes as he assembles his squad for for next season.

Fabrizio Romano tweeted that the Hammers are planning to have ‘new direct contacts’ with Alphonse Areola’s agents, with an option-to-buy for £11m or to extend his loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain for another campaign. As it stands, the French goalkeeper is due to return to his parent club over the summer.

The journalist claimed: “West Ham are planning to have new direct contacts with Alphonse Areola’s agents to keep him at the club, negotiations are already underway. There’s a buy option worth £11m – or an option to extend loan deal from PSG for one more season.”

This would represent an excellent move either way for Moyes, as he will have one less incoming transfer to make during the summer.

West Ham have had a wonderful season and Moyes has brought the feel-good factor back to the London Stadium for the first time in a long while. With a brilliant Europa League run being ended by Eintracht Frankfurt at the semi-final stage and continental qualification being secured for next season, they will want to continue building momentum.

Areola joined on loan from PSG at the beginning of the current campaign and has featured 18 times in all competitions this season, conceding 15 goals and keeping eight clean sheets.

The goalkeeper arrived with a big reputation, having been part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018 and claiming league medals for both Real Madrid and PSG. He has played primarily in the Europa League as West Ham embarked on their memorable run to the last four. achieving second leg shutouts as both Sevilla and Lyon were put to the sword.

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